LADAKH HIT BY A SERIES OF CLOUDBURSTS

A series of cloudbursts occurring between 0030 and 0100 on 6th August triggered torrential rain, mudslides and flash floods. Leh town and its adjoining villages were badly affected and Choglamsar, close to the Indus River, is the worst affected area. Todate, at least 115 people were killed and over 370 injured, and many more are missing. Several buildings were washed away. The BSNL exchange in Leh has been damaged; the Srinagar-Leh road is unusable and the Leh airport has suspended all operations. In short, the area is virtually cut off from the rest of the world.

Ladakh is a place His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa holds very close to his heart. In his latest message "Tomorrow is too late", he says, "I feel and strongly believe that Ladakh is my homeland because I have been spending a large part of my life and many lives in the past in Ladakh, therefore even though this is a natural disaster that we cannot seem to avoid, it is very sad and painful for me."

The Druk White Lotus School was affected by a mudslide. The villagers evacuated all residential children from the residences and took them to Shey Palace, sitting atop a rocky outcrop to the west of the school. We understand that the residential children are back in the residences. We also understand that some of the classrooms have been flooded with mud.

As Ladakh is not prepared for natural calamity of this sort, rescue operations are not easy. However, everyone, including our monks and nuns, is actively trying to help on the ground to relieve the pains and suffering of the victims and their families.

Because of global warming, natural disasters are occurring in more places and more frequently; and many lives are sacrificed. We are working with Live to Love Charitable Foundation on two fundraising directions, the first one is for the immediate relief and aid operations on the ground in Ladakh and the second one is to improve the environment in general through tree planting in Ladakh.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE DIFFERENCE

Please support us so that we are able to direct your well-wishes and material help towards the betterment of the Himalayas, which holds the life source (water) of many of us who live downstream. You can make a donation through PayPal prepared by Live to Love Charitable Foundation using the buttons below or wire the donations to the following account:

Beneficiary

Live to Love Charitable Foundation Limited

Beneficiary Address

2002 Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong

Beneficiary Bank

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

Beneficiary Bank Address

No. 1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong

Multi-Currency Bank Account

808-806350-838

Swift code

HSBCHKHHHKH

Donate to Relief & Restoration

Alternatively, you can also contact any of the following organizations near you to make a donation: